Men seen in water off Māhia, life raft dropped, search to resume at first light

A major search and rescue operation under way for three missing fishermen lost in huge seas of the Gisborne coast has been suspended for the night and will resume at first light tomorrow. 

“Atrocious weather conditions” have been hampering the rescue bid after two survivors from a missing fishing vessel were spotted alive in the water off Mahia this afternoon by crew on the bulk carrier African Tiger. 

However, crew were unable to rescue the stricken pair due to the dangerously difficult weather conditions, Rescue Coordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ) general manager Justin Allan said. 

“The vessel attempted to provide the men with any available rescue materials they could throw overboard including life rings and flotsam. 

“However, due to the severe weather conditions they were unable to be rescued. The 180m African Tiger was unable to remain on-scene due to the deteriorating weather conditions. 

“Efforts were made by both boats and aircraft to keep track and rescue the two missing people. However, these attempts were not successful due to high winds and seas, and the people are still in the water.” 

A third man is still missing. 

The NZDF P8 Poseidon dropped a life raft in the vicinity of where the men were in the water. It is not known whether they reached the raft. 

Assessments on plans for tomorrow will be made overnight, and efforts will start again at first light. 

“RCCNZ is working throughout the night to assess drift patterns, source additional onshore and offshore rescue capabilities and continues to make every effort to carry out a successful rescue. 

“RCCNZ wants to thank those who have been involved and supported the search today, and the thoughts of the personnel goes out to the family and friends of the missing people.” 

Allan said swells and gusts associated with the severe weather conditions were making the rescue operation dangerous on the water and in the air. 

“Swells are getting up as high as 6 metres and winds are gusting up to 50 knots.” 

RCCNZ was continuing to work with a range of agencies to co-ordinate rescuers in a bid to safely get the men out of the water. 

“There has and continues to be support from Coastguard, rescue helicopter operators, the New Zealand Defence Force and vessels of opportunity in the area. Rescuers are continuing to do their very best in incredibly trying conditions and we are hugely grateful for their efforts. 

“Our thoughts are with everyone closely connected to this situation and we continue to keep them updated. These are incredibly stressful and difficult times for everyone involved,” Allan said. 

“At this time, the men are still in the water.” 

“Obviously there was a high when we heard the two of them had been found,” Faber said this evening.

"But from what we’re aware of, they’ve been lost again and the search has been called off for the night 

“We have heard about the life raft being dropped in their vicinity, but how close to them? We don’t know and we’re just hoping that they managed to find it and get into it."

Faber said some of the families were at the fishing club waiting for any news. 

“But obviously we haven’t had much news. We’ve been watching the [tracking] apps and things, we saw the Coastguard from Napier turn back and the planes and helicopters manoeuvring around. 

“It was a very sleepless night for a lot of people last night, so hopefully we’ll get an hour or two tonight.” 

NZ Herald reporting above updates story in tomorrow's Gisborne Herald, by Murray Robertson:

Urgent steps were taken this afternoon to rescue two men seen floating alive in the sea off Māhia Peninsula. 

They were believed to be from a Gisborne recreational fishing boat reported missing on Monday afternoon. 

The Rescue Coordination Centre reported about 2.30pm today that “two people have been identified alive in the water off Gisborne”. 

It was confirmed earlier there were three local men on board the seven-metre fishing boat. 

They had gone to a spot known as The Southern Dog Leg, 6-7 nautical miles (12km) off Māhia Peninsula (off Portland Island) on Monday morning to fish for bluefin tuna. 

“A bulk carrier, the African Tiger, spotted two people in the water off the Māhia Peninsula,” the RCCNZ release said mid-afternoon. 

“Visual contact of the men was lost, but urgent actions were taken to relocate them.” 

Those efforts included the dispatch of the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter to the scene, along with other sea-going craft. 

The NZDF P8 Poseidon dropped a life raft to the two men, who were seen to be in life rings. 

RCCNZ’s operations manager Michael Clulow said: “We are working as quickly as possible to relocate and rescue the people in the water. They have been in the water for a long time now and will be cold and tired.” 

Weather conditions in the area were described as “atrocious”, making it extremely difficult for responders on the water and in the air. 

The Herald understands a Coastguard boat from Napier was dispatched to pick the men up. 

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those caught up in this rapidly evolving situation and are taking all practical steps to save lives,” Clulow said. 

The response was supported by the Defence Force, Napier Harbour Tugs, NZ Coastguard and rescue helicopter providers. 

The name of the men’s boat and the identities of the three men have not yet been made public. 

Eastland Rescue Helicopter Trust chairman Patrick Wilock knows two of the missing men and said they were experienced and resourceful. 

They were aged about 30 to 40, he said. 

“They are experienced, they are resilient, and you know, when I heard it was them, I was in shock. But you know, they’re very tough. 

“They’re the sort of guys who would be thinking quickly on their feet. 

“Let’s say they’ve been in there over 12 hours now. They’ll be exhausted. But if they’ve got flotation devices, then it’s just a matter of time to locate them and get them. 

“It’ll be dynamite for a helicopter trying to winch in the weather out there, though. It’s going to be tough for rescuers. 

“All of us are just thinking of the families and just hoping for the best — hoping that a miracle will happen.” 

Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club president Roger Faber told the NZ Herald “everyone is rapt” to have found two of the missing boaties alive, and emergency services were still hopeful of finding the third. 

“We’ve got our fingers crossed the two men found can be rescued, and that the third man can be found and rescued, too.” 

Faber earlier told RNZ the three fishermen who were on the missing boat were “very experienced” and regularly out on the water. 

A major search was launched after the vessel failed to return to Gisborne as planned on Monday. 

Initially, it was believed there were two people onboard the vessel.  

The last known communication of the missing boat was with another vessel before 10am on Monday when it was about 20km offshore. 

Faber raised the alarm when the boat failed to return to shore. 

Three boats had headed out together Monday morning, with Faber on board one of them. 

Two boats — his included — decided to “pull the pin” about 11am in deteriorating weather and tried to get in touch with the now missing boat to let them know, but did not hear back. 

Faber’s last communication with the missing boat was about 9.30am on Monday.  

Coastguard Gisborne, the Gisborne rescue helicopter, and several vessels supported the initial search on Monday evening. Overnight, a NZDF P8 Poseidon undertook a radar search off Poverty Bay, Northern Hawke’s Bay and Māhia Peninsula. 

This morning, a helicopter was searching between Gisborne and Māhia Peninsula.